March Creative Chat- Stamp Storage

It's time for the MFT Creative Chat. The My Favorite Things Design Team Creative Chat is a monthly feature, where we are challenged to explore our creative spaces and share valuable organizational methods, tools, and shopping strategies with you. You'll be able to peek into our creative spaces, ask questions, and share your own ideas in the MFT forum.  This month, we were asked the following questions:  

Show us how you store your MFT Stamps.

When I first started stamping, I was a Stampin' Up Demo, so I had TONS of wood mounted stamps in boxes. I bought a white bookshelf, and started storing them on it, til it was so full I thought it might collapse. As I started to venture out into the world, I discovered many other stamp companies, and LOTS of new FAVORITES!! 

I bought lots of single wood mounted stamps that I now keep in a drawer, but never use. I really need to sell them, but it sounds exhausting, LOL!

My unmounted rubber stamps that I bought individually, before I came up with my system now, are still in their original packaging, in another drawer....that I never use. 

From this, I discovered-I don't play with what I don't see-and then I saw what Jodi Collins does/did!! 

For most of my design teams, I get my stamps as sample sets, without packaging, so I had to find a way to make them to where I could see them, and what they are. I decided, thanks to a picture from Jodi Collin's stamp room, to store them in clear standard jewel CD cases. I buy them in bulk from Super Media Store, which is the most cost effective way I can see to get them. I bought a label maker, and my new system was born. 

Now when I first started, I used the handheld, turn and click kind of label maker, but recently upgraded to the one pictured above....best decision ever! I finally, after a TON of time, and LOTS of label tapes, got all my sets relabeled. I put the name of the set on each one, and then they are separated by company, and then in alphabetical order. 

That's my shelf in all it's glory...about to run out of space. And yes, there is another shelf you can't see....it's just as full, I just couldn't get it all in the picture(tinyapartmentsyndrom)I still have my Taylored Expressions stamps in their original packaging, but rubber stamps aren't ideal for CD case storage...you end up using at least two per set and THAT'S not space efficient. As you can see, after I am done making my cards/projects, I prop them up on the shelf for inspiration. It also helps me not to repeat the same paper over and over, which I tend to do, lol.  That clear card box on the second shelf is full of empty CD cases, so I always have some available for my new stamp arrivals, and stamps for future releases. :)

Any tips or tricks on organization? 

Besides all the tips I have shared above, I would say my BEST advice is to keep on top of your organization. Always putting things up where they go, and immediately putting new arrivals into cases will eliminate any backlog. Since I am OCD, and they have to be in ABC order, some month's I do a LOT of moving. For My MFT stamps, I tend to put all the a la modes, and Pure Innocence stamps from each release into the same CD holders.The PI's don't always fit into one, but I try. That means that SOME of those cases you see hold up to five sets.....I think I may have a few, what do you think?

Well, that is it for me for now!! Thanks for stopping by!

Visit Kim's Blog for a full list of designers that have taken up the challenge and get ready to delve into the minds of our creative team. 

TSG149- Gettin' Sketchy

Hey everyone, and Happy Monday....yeah, I said happy, lol!! This week's There She Goes challenge is a sketch I made up, so I hope to see LOTS of you playing along!! Before we get to my card, here are some details!!

To be eligible for the giveaway, create a card or project using this sketch, and then come back to the TSG Blog to add your name and a link to your project in the InLinkz that is located at the bottom of this challenge post. This challenge is open until the winner has been announced on the following Monday (April 2nd). The winner will get a $5 gift certificate to use in the TSG Web store!

By participating in this challenge, you may also find yourself in the Trendsetting Spotlight that shines on the TSG Blog every Thursday. We will be on the lookout to find challenge cards that stand out and show Trendsetting qualities. TSG stamps are not required to participate in the challenges but are appreciated:)

You do not need to have a blog to be able to participate in the TSG Challenges! You can simply add the URL link from your project after it has been uploaded to your online craft gallery. If you upload your card to an online craft gallery, please use the keyword TSG149 so we can check out your beautiful work!

For my card tonight, I am being SUPER sneaky, along with some of my design team members, and sneaking out a little peek of the one of the new sets being peeked on Wednesday, When I Grow Up. I can't tell you more than that, but I can tell you I am in LOVE!! I colored her with Copics, and used Blush Blossom, Ruby Red, and Fossil card stock. My paper is the  MME Miss Caroline Howdy Doody line. I used LOTS of Michael's brads, and some YUMMY Champagne Vintage Seam Binding.  My other embellishments are Jute Twine, also from the RibbonCarousel, and a Creative Express Spiral Clip. 

Here is the sketch, too....me likey!! LOL

Well, that is it for me for now!! I am DYING over this month's release, and I can't wait for the hops to start tomorrow!! Until then, be sure to head over to the There She Goes blog for a list of other designer's playing along this week!

Thanks a Bunch- Key Ingredients

I am in LOVE with this month's Key Ingredients Kit from Taylored Expressions...the papers in this month's kit are SO YUMMY!! Before we get to my card, have you heard about the Key Ingredients monthly challenge? This month's challenge is to "Spring Into Organization"!! Super fun, right??!! Want to play along? All the information you will need is right here,  and you can pick up an AWESOME blog badge, here!!

My card today uses the ADORABLE Hello Spring set from Taylored Expressions, along with supplies from this month's kit.The paper in this month's kit is Echo Park This&That, and I've paired it with the Quartz, Lizard, Chocolate, and Buttercream Bazil card stock from the kit. My image was colored with Copics, then cut out with my Circle Nesties. I used the MFT Monarch Border Die-namics for my border, as well. The sentiment embellishment was part of the matching This& That Decorative Brads that came with the kit. To finish it off, I used some of the Green Gingham ribbon, also included in the kit. It really is SO much product for your money!!!

Here are some details about the Key Ingredients kit, in case you aren't a subscriber!!

Store Discount. Subscribers will be given a special discount code to save 10% on any order placed between the 10th - 13th of the month to be combined with your subscription shipment. Subscribers in the US may combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment for no additional shipping fee. Subscribers outside the US will pay additional shipping costs to combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment.You'll receive a reminder e-mail on the 10th of each month which will also include a list of other products that will coordinate with the kit being shipped to you that month. This list is incredibly helpful for those who want to stretch the use of a KI with even more supplies!

º Design Team Inspiration. We'll debut the Key Ingredients kit on the 10th of each month followed by 5 days of inspiring projects posted by the Key Ingredients team right here on the Key Ingredients Blog. Of course, don't forget to check out the gallery where the design team is constantly adding new projects!

º Storage. Subscriber kits will come in a Storage Solutions Plastic Case. This $3.25 value is a special benefit that is FREE to Subscribers.

Well, that is it for me for now!! Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!!

Crazy 4 Owls

Hey everyone and welcome to this week's Crazy 4 Challenges, challenge!! It is Frances' birthday, and since it is her turn to host, we are using one of her favorite things.…… OWLS!! If you don’t have Owls in your collection use some other sort of bird … but she would love to see those owls!

If you decide to play along with us, all you have to do is create a card/project and upload it to your blog and/or to your SCS Gallery using the keyword C4C129. Don't forget to come back here and link it on Mr Linky so that everyone else can see it too.

For my card, I used an older My Favorite Things set, Owls and Bluebells. I stamped my image on X-Press It Blending card, and then colored it with my Copics. I then cut it out with my Oval Stax Die-namics, and the Oval Open Scalloped Doily Die-namics in Hot Fudge. The other card stock colors I used are Berrylicious and Sour Apple. My papers are from the Jillibean Soup Dutch Mustard and Spotted Owl pads. I used the Small Open Scalloped Strip Die-namics for my border. My ribbon is Walnut Vintage Seam Binding from the Ribbon Carousel, and I used Honeydew Twinery Twine. My button was cut out with the Button Quartet Die-namics, and my sentiment with the First Place Award Die-namics.

For the inside, I used another sentiment from this set, and the same supplies.

Here are the Die-namics I used:

Well, that is it for me for now! Be sure to blurf around and see what my teammates have created for you to see!!

• Andrea Murdock
• Barbara Anders
• Cindy Haffner
• Frances Byrne
• Jessie Rone<--you are here!!
• Joanne Grzelak
• Joycelyn Turner
• Lynda Benden
• Kelli Hull
• Silke Kittman
• Silke Ledlow
• Vicki Garrett

iSpy Meets There She Goes(Again)!

Hey everyone and Happy Friday!! This post is pulling double duty, tonight, but never fear....I made TWO things for you to enjoy!!

First of all, we are almost done with There She Goes (Again!) week here at There She Goes, so be sure to get these FABULOUS sets at a discount!! This month's sets are:

Tweeterpated

Flowers of Happiness
Bear Hugs

and

Hunny Bunnies

Both my projects are for today's There She Goes Again post, but my second one is for the I Spy Sketch Challenge from this week. Before we get to it, My first card was made with the Flowers of Happiness set. I stamped two of each of my flowers on X-Press It Blending Card, and then colored them with my Copics. I then cut them out, and added a silver brad from Michael's to their centers. I stamped my sentiment on Sweet Tooth card stock, and then layered it with Hot Fudge. For my base, I used some old SU DP, and Tangerine Tango(SU), Wild Cherry, and Hot Fudge card stock. I stamped two of the vines from this set on the base, as well, and colored them. My ribbon is Walnut Seam Binding from the Ribbon Carousel, and my spiral clip is from Creative Express.

As I said before, my second project is for this week's I Spy Sketch Challenge. I  am making a few shadow boxes to auction off at a benefit for my cousin Casie's baby, Jonah, and this is one of them. I stamped the bunny from Hunny Bunnies on X-Press It Blending card, and then colored it with my Copics. I then layered him with Spearmint(MFT), So Saffron(SU) and Bubblegum(MFT) card stock. I embellished my scallops, from the MFT Medium Scallop Die-namics, with Kaiser Pearls. My ribbon is from the Ribbon Carsouel(Pink V Striped Twill), and my spiral clips are from Michael's. I used the Jillibean Soup Southern Chicken Dumpling Soup pad. I purchased the shadow box at Michael's. 

Well, that is it for me for now!! 

Be sure to check out the 

THERE SHE GOES blog & the I SPY SKETCHES blog!!

MFTWSC64 Cute-a-tude

Hey everyone, and happy Wednesday!! Since it is Wednesday, it is time for another Wednesday Stamp Club challenge from My Favorite Things!!  

For my card, I used the super cute new Cute-a-tude Pure Innocence set. I stamped her on X-Press it Blending Card, and then colored her with my Copics. She was layered with Pixie Pink(SU), Sour Apple, and Blu Raspberry. I used Sweet Tooth for my base. The paper I used is from the MME Oh La La for Her pad. I used the Crown Border Die-namics for my border both inside, and out. My sentiment was cut out with the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics, along with it's layer. I also used the Pretty Posies Die-namics for my flower, and the new Sour Apple ribbon from MFT. My brads are from Michael's, and my spiral clip is from Creative Express.

For the inside, I used more of the same supplies!

Here are the Die-namics I used: 

 Well, that is it for me for now!! Be sure to check out MFT Blog for a full list of designers participating in today's sketch!!

March VIP Tour

Hey everyone, and welcome to March's VIP Product Tour!! This month's collection is SUPER fun, and I am IN LOVE with the VIP sentiments set!!!

If you aren't familiar with the VIP Package it is a LIMITED QUANTITY product (NOT a one-day product - it will be available until it sells out), that allows you the opportunity to purchase new, unreleased sets TWO weeks early. This month's package is: 

Pure Innocence Amazing & Magical VIP Collection $32.90

Pure Innocence Magician stamp set

Pure Innocence Scientist stamp set

Amazing & Magical Sentiments mini (VIP exclusive stamp set - will never be offered for sale or be available again $9 value, FREE)

Chevron Stripes Die-namics Die

Pinking Edge Die-namics Die

For my card tonight, I used the Pure Innocence Scientist set. My sentiment is from the VIP Sentiments set, which I love! I personally am AMAZED by Science, so this sentiment worked PERFECT for me!! I stamped her on X-Press It Blending Card, and then colored her with my Copics. She was then layered with Bubblegum, Berrylicious, and Jellybean Green. I used the Chevron Stripes Die-namics to create my background panel out of Lilybee Designs Victoria Park paper. I also used this paper for her pants. My ribbon is the new Jellybean Green ribbon from MFT, and my twine is Blossom. I used Michael's brads, and a spiral clip from Creative Express. 

Here are the Die-namics I have used: 

Well, that is it for me for now!! Be sure to check out Kim's Blog for a full list of designers participating in today's post!!

March Key Ingredients Challenge

If you didn't already know, every month on the 20th, the Key Ingredients Design Team has a challenge, and today is the day!! This month's challenge is to "Spring Into Organization"!! Super fun, right??!! Want to play along? All the information you will need is right here, and you can pick up an AWESOME blog badge, here!!

For my project, I used the supplies from the March Key Ingredients Kit, a small clipboard(6x9), and a blank note pad. It's what I am going to be using for my shopping list, now!! I stamped a flower from Hello Spring onto each page to make it prettier! My sentiment is from the Moka Olivia set. This month's kit included the Echo Park This&That pad and matching brads. My papers are all from Bazil(Pomegranate, Quartz, and Lizard). I used the ribbon provided in the kit, as well. My scallops were made with the MFT Simply Scalloped Medium Die-namics.

Here are some details about the Key Ingredients kit, in case you aren't a subscriber!!

Store Discount. Subscribers will be given a special discount code to save 10% on any order placed between the 10th - 13th of the month to be combined with your subscription shipment. Subscribers in the US may combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment for no additional shipping fee. Subscribers outside the US will pay additional shipping costs to combine your additional items with your KI Subscription shipment.You'll receive a reminder e-mail on the 10th of each month which will also include a list of other products that will coordinate with the kit being shipped to you that month. This list is incredibly helpful for those who want to stretch the use of a KI with even more supplies!

º Design Team Inspiration. We'll debut the Key Ingredients kit on the 10th of each month followed by 5 days of inspiring projects posted by the Key Ingredients team right here on the Key Ingredients Blog. Of course, don't forget to check out the gallery where the design team is constantly adding new projects!

º Storage. Subscriber kits will come in a Storage Solutions Plastic Case. This $3.25 value is a special benefit that is FREE to Subscribers.

Now, be sure to head out, and check out what the other girls have been up to....and we hope to see you playing along!

• Taylor Vanbruggen
• Debbie Carriere
• Jessica Diedrich
• Jessie Rone<--here now!!!
• Lea Lawson
• Monika Davis

RCC45 Showered With Twine

Hey Everyone, and Happy Tuesday! It is time for this week's Ribbon Carousel challenge, and even though it's not my week to post, my card fit the challenge perfectly, so I went with it! 

This week's challenge is being sponsored by The Twinery, and our challenge was to OF COURSE use Twine...which I use all the time, so no biggie, right! 

For my card tonight,I CASEd a card I had made previously using the MFT Umbrella and Die-namics set. I had it requested as an order for a Wedding card, using more "peacock-y" colors, so I hope Igot it close to right, LOL! I used the MME Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky pad, and paired it with Night of Navy(SU), Blu Raspberry, and Sour Apple(MFT) card stock. I used both the Notched Tag, and Hearts Die-namics for my hearts. My sentiment was cut out with the First Place Award Ribbon Die-namics.  For my embellishments, I used brads from Michael's, Satin Edged White Grosgrain Ribbon and Caribbean Twine from the Ribbon Carousel. I used the Center Step Card tutorial on SCS for my design, as well.

For the inside, I used a sentiment from Clearly Sentimental about Romance, and Inspired by Flowers 2.

Here are the Die-namics I have used:

Well, that is it for me for now! Here is a list of all the designers participating in today's challenge/hop. Have fun, and happy hopping!!